Cross Words

Sometimes you have to just give up.
It isn’t worth the fight.
Although it may be hard to do,
you want to do what’s right.

You have to take a short step back,
consider all the costs.
Is one small victory worth the pain,
the agony, and loss?

You’ve struggled for so long it seems.
You gave it your best shot.
Sometimes it felt your mind itself
was tied up in a knot.

But now you have to call it quits,
‘cause you don’t have a clue.
You’ll never figure out the word
for DOWN line twenty-two.

This crossword puzzle has you beat.
It isn’t the first time.
At one time you could do them all,
when you were in your prime.

And, damn, you almost had this one.
You were so very close.
It’s hard for you to face it that
your tired brain is toast.

Damn the crossword!
Damn the crossword!
Let’s try that Sudoku.